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Carter's Racing back on top in France

07 Mar 2016 Getty Images

A surprise loss for Toulon, at the hands of ninth-placed La Rochelle, has seen Racing 92 reclaim the lead in the French Top 14 competition.

Toulon were able to claim a bonus point in injury time when former All Black and Crusaders first five-eighths Tom Taylor crossed for a try which allowed Toulon to get within the seven-point losing margin.

Dan Carter's Racing had a 38-13 win over Agen with Carter landing four conversions and a penalty goal. Former All Blacks team-mate Joe Rokocoko was among the try scorers for the side.

Racing are on 54 points, one point ahead of Clermont-Auvergne with Toulon two points further back.

Clermont beat Grenoble 45-12.

Ten rounds remain in the Top 14 competition while on April 10 the European Champions Cup quarter-final game between Racing and Toulon will be played.

Meanwhile in England rugby, Aaron Mauger's Leicester team welcomed England centre Manu Tuilagi back to action in claiming a 31-27 win that propelled them back to third place in the premiership.

Northampton secured a surprise 20-15 win over Saracens.

In a tight tussle at Gloucester, former All Blacks and Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush produced an outstanding effort as the home team beat Wasps 13-10. Thrush's former Hurricanes team-mate Jimmy Gopperth kicked a conversion and penalty goal for Wasps.

Former North Harbour first five-eighths Ben Botica landed 13 points for Harlequins but it wasn't enough to prevent a 23-29 loss to Sale.